Portable article



June 6, 1944.

' PORTABLE ARTICLE c. R. MORRIS 2,350,799

2 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1942 Clremoni Haber? Morris AT TO RNEYJune 6; 1944.

c. R. MORRIS PORTABLE ARTICLE 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26

lhllu INVENTOR Robert Morris Claremonl BY ATTORNE.

Patented June 6, 1944 Claremont Robert Morris, New York, N. y.

Application January 26, 1942, Serial No. 428,315

2 Claims.

This invention relates to portable articles, more especially of thestafi type such as umbrellas, canes, crutches and the like.

One prevalent inconvenience in connection with carrying articles of thecharacter indicated arises in public places, for instance in cafeterias,when attempting to carry said article and a tray of food at the sametime. To avoid this inconvenience, a portable article, specifically anumbrella, is often left on a chair while the owner proceeds to thebusiness of the moment elsewhere, and on return to the chair, the ownerof the umbrella finds it has been taken, by mistake or otherwise.

It therefore constitutes an object of the present invention to provide ahandy means for preventing loss of a portable article when left for abrief period.

Another object of the invention is to provide a securing means which isa part of the article. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, keylesslocking mechanism adaptable to articles of various kinds and character.

Other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled in the artas the description progresses, both by direct statement and byimplication from the context.

In the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numerals of reference indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a partial elevation of an umbrella showing my inventionembodied as part thereof and in locked condition; v V V Figure 2 is asimilar view but with the invention shown in unlocked condition; v

Figures 3 and 4 are views of a modified construction, Figure 3 showingthe invention in the normal position, and Figure 4 illustrating thelocking mechanism extended; 1

Figure 5 is a view of a cane embodying the same structure of securingmechanism asin Figures3and4;

Figure 6 is a view of an umbrella showing adaptation of the invention toa full-loop handle;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are longitudinal sectional views of the lockingmechanism of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and showing several po-Figure 13 is a sectionalviewof the locking mechanism of the embodimentof Figured I, I

Exemplary of portable'articles in general,-Fig-r ures 1 and 2 illustratethe-inventionin connection with an umbrella l5 having a handle 16 of ausual construction and shape; A- flexible member ll, such as a cord orthe like, passes through a transverse hole near the upper. end -of thehandle. Umbrellas with flexible cords through the handle are notuncommon, the cords,-.-how-; ever, being formed asa continuousloopforacarrying or other purposes. According to thepresent invention, thesaid flexible'memben'or cord-is rendered separable at-one partof itslength, and thereat is provided a locking .mechanism ,f l8 which has thecharacter of a knob asanllnitary andcontinuouspart of the loopwhenclosed.- Theloop and locking mechanism together'formf a securingmeans by which the umbrella or the. like can be temporarily afiixed to achairorthe. like and thus secured against surreptitious Lre-l moval. Thelocking mechanism is preferably. ot a keyless character and is shown :asa 'combination lock, details ofwhi-ch are more 'clea'rlyfdeg picted inFigures 7, 8 and 9.

Whilethe, detail construction of lock'ma be considerably variedwithin'the scopeiotmy. invention, the general featuresv of theparticular lock shown will be described for purposes of f definiterecitation of oneoperable. arrangement. .,As shown, the several parts ofthe locking-mechanism are cylindrical, and for brevity, willbe so de.-scribed, but without limitation ,tothat, particular shape. Likewise thelocking member isljhe'r'e shown as constituted by four parts}. but h'ereagain no limitation is imposed, as any desired. or greater number ofparts may bev employed. Fur-i thermore no attempt is made to, showtheyfabri,

cation of the several. parts enabling thesame to be assembled, since itis,.within the realm of the mechanic to form the individualparts ofappropriate sections and, after assembly, weld brother: wise unify thesections into the illustrated part interlocked operatively with a nextadjacent part. Final fabrication ,of the locking mechanism. accordinglyis shown as comprising a cylindrical head part l9 at the central, axisof which isate tached, as by extending axially through; thehead part andriveting at,the inner face. thereof, the end portion of the flexiblemember H, Next the periphery of this head member is an inwardlyprojecting undercut circular fiange; id-which interlocks rotatably withanoutwardly directed fiangeZl extending peripherally ofthe next adejacent end of a first dial member 22. Atthe other end of this first dialmember is another undercut circular fl 2. ,Web nterleck 1:9.

A T- or cross-bar 28 on the inner end of a cylindrical or other shank 29projecting from a cylindrical member 30, is adapted to be inserted intoand retained in said space until the dial members are properly set forits release. For convenience in referring to said member 30, the samewill be identified as the releasable member of the locking mechanism.The other end of the flexible member or cord is suitably secured to thisreleasable member, this being accomplished in the present showing byextending the said flexible member axially through the said member andriveting it at its inner end.

The first dial member 22 has an inwardly directed flange 3| one flatface of which constitutes the aforementioned shoulder of that dialmember. Said flange provides diametrically opposed channels 32longitudinally thereof and of appropriate width to receive the cross-bar28 therein. The second dial member likewise has diametrically opposedchannels 33 adapted to register with the channels 32 of the first dialmember. It is only at such position of registration of these channelsthat the cross-head 28 can pass through the channels and be released.Suitable 'dial markings on the exterior of the dial members and on thereleasable member enable the owner, acquainted with the combination, toset the several members to releasing or non-releasing positions asdesired.

In Figures 3, 4, 5, 10 and 1 1, the construction is modified so as topermit enclosing the flexible member and to utilize the lockingmechanism as an end knob on the handle. With particular reference toFigures 10 and 11, it will be found the locking. mechanism has definitesimilarity to the one above described, so that the differences only willbe now elaborated. A head member l9 closely akin .to head member" I9 isprovided, differing only in not having an end of the flexible memberattached thereto. Within the head member is a cylindrical space 21 asbefore, the

space adapted to receive a T- or cross-head 28 rotatably therein.Furthermore said head member has an inwardly. projecting undercut flange20 which interlocks rotatably with an outwardly directed flange 2|extending peripherally of the next adjacent end of the first dial member22 all as in the previously described embodiment. At the other end ofthis first dial member 22 is another undercut flange 23 which interlocksrotatably with an outwardly directed flange 24 of the second dial member25'. Both dial members provide channels adapted to register and releasethe cross-head from retention in the cylindrical space 21. Channels 32in the first dial member are as previously described, but the channels33 in the second dial member are modified to the extent they are closed,as at 34, at their far ends from the cross-head and head member. Thecross-head is accordingly partially releasable but irremovable. Thesecond dial member is also modified to provide a central and circularsocket 35 beyond the channel closures 34, the purpose for which willpresently appear.

Cross-head 28 in the construction being described (Figs. 10 and 11) isat one end of a shank 29 projecting from a cylindrical member 30' whichin this instance is made fast to the article handle. As shown, saidcylindrical member is screw threaded into said handle, as at 36, andretained permanently as by a set screw 31. Now it will be seen that whenthe combination is properly set .to register the dial-member channels,the dial members and head as a unit may be moved up or down at will. Aterminal member 38 is provided substantially circular in cross-sectionand having a diameter substantially that of the dial members. On theupper side of this terminal member is integrally formed a protuberance39 of appropriate size to enter and substantially fit withinaforementioned socket 35 of the second dial member. In order tointroduce the said terminal memberin axial alinement with the dialmembers, it is slotted inwardly, as at 49, with appropriate width andlength of slot to pass shank 29 with a movement in a radial direction.The unit comprising the dial members and head member can be slid upwardfrom the article handle far enough to admit the total thickness of saidterminal member below the said unit. Then by sliding the unit downward,it engages protuberance 39 in socket 35 and in that position retains theterminal member against removal.

The-terminal member has the flexible member l1 secured thereto andprojecting from the under side thereof at a position opposite the end ofthe slot in said terminal member. Threaded cylindrical member 30' andthe contiguous part of article handle l6 are slotted at M to provide forpassage of said flexible member into and out of said handle which ismade hollow for the purpose. In use of the modification of Figures 3, 4,-5, 10 and 11, the lock mechanism is first unlocked, thereby permittinglateral withdrawal of the disclike terminal member 38. Since theflexible member I1 is fast withrespect to the terminal member, it isdrawn from the handle, full withdrawal being prevented'by attachment ofthe inner end, as for instance in the same manner as previouslydescribed. The end withdrawn can be looped through a chair-back or otherplace of attachment and th terminal member returned to place on thearticle. The dial members are then slid back to securing position,thereby holding the terminal member with the flexible member thusforming a closed loop. Locking the dial members thus obtains a lockedclosed loop of the flexible member which will prevent loss of thearticle by petty thievery or accidental removal.

The invention is not necessarily confined to use of flexible members orcords, and illustrative of other means, Figures 6 and 13 show a fullloop handle the loop of which can be opened, engaged over a chair-backand then locked closed. Handle [6" of the article, such as umbrella15'', has a loop handle part 42 hinged thereto, as at 43, at the outerend of the handle. The loop curves backinto end engagement with a lowerpart of the handle, and is there engaged by locking means of which saidloop is apart.

The structure shown accomplishing the pur pose forms the end of theswinging handle or loop part 42 with a cross-head 28 thereon. As thehandle or loop part closes, this cross-head'is adapted to enterregistering channels of interlocked rotatable dial members in turnhaving rotatable interlocked engagement with a circular flange 20"constituting part of the handle and appropriately situated at the sidethereof. The dial members are rotatable to retain the crosshead within acylindrical space 21 by shoulders 26.

Obviously other detail modifications and changes made be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention, and I do not wishto be understood as limiting myself except as set forth in the followingclaims when construed in the light of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A portable article providing a handle havin loop means secured nextan end of said handle, said loop means having a discontinuity enablingthe loop to be open-ended when desired to apply the same to atemporaryholding member, said loop projecting in part beyond the end ofsaid handle, and locking mechanism having a part thereof a permanentpart of said loop means, said locking mechanism also having a partthereof constituting an end knob forthe handle.

2. A portable article providing a handle and said handle having loopmeans secured thereto, said loop means having a discontinuity enablingthe loop to be open-ended when desired to apply the same to a temporaryholding member and closable to re-establish the loop while so applied,said handle being hollow and said loop being flexible and adapted to besituated in its entirety in the hollow handle, and locking mechanismhaving a part thereof a permanent part of said loop means.

CLAREMONT ROBERT MORRIS.

